139 House Democrats Join GOP to Approve $717 Billion in Military Spending

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis briefs members of the media on Syria at the Pentagon April 13, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

With the help of 139 Democrats, the House of Representatives on Thursday easily rammed through the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which—if it passes the Senate—will hand President Donald Trump $717 billion in military spending.

"Of the total $717 billion, the bill would authorize $616.9 billion for the base Pentagon budget, $21.9 billion for nuclear weapons programs under the Energy Department, and another $69 billion in war spending from the special Overseas Contingency Operations account," Politicoreported following the 359-54 vote. View the full roll call here.

Additionally, the NDAA passed by the House would authorize 13 new Navy warships, approve the Pentagon's request to buy 77 F-35s, and green-light "a new submarine-launched, low-yield nuclear warhead," Politico notes.

"How are they going to pay for this?" asked one commentator on Twitter. "Oh wait, that question only gets asked when it comes to social programs that benefit the working class."

The Intercept's Glenn Greenwald added:

It seems strange, at least to me, that Democrats - with one side of their mouth - say Trump is an authoritarian, lawless traitor, but then, with the other side, keep voting to increase his war powers, military budget and detention & spying authorities. https://t.co/nRoOM7Kifwpic.twitter.com/X11kYf9Qsf

Never Miss a Beat.

Get our best delivered to your inbox.

The House's passage of the 2019 NDAA comes just days after Trump fired off a hysterical Twitter rant against Iran, warning the nation's leaders in all capital letters to "NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN."

What Trump didn't mention is that Iran's so-called "threat" against the United States came after a Reuters report revealed that the White House—led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton—has launched a secret effort to "foment unrest" inside Iran, which critics described as an obvious push for regime change.

Amid escalating tensions between the two nations sparked by Trump's ultra-hawkish administration, one of the few tiny bright spots in the NDAA is language that says "nothing in this act may be construed to authorize the use of force against Iran."

This "explanatory statement" was included thanks to amendments pushed by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and passed unanimously by the House.

"I'm grateful to see Congress' top defense legislators go on the record and agree that President Trump does not have an authorization to use military force against Iran. Given Trump's recent irresponsible all-caps tweet threatening Iran, it's critical to know that he has no legal authority to use military force without explicit approval from Congress," Ellison said in a statement on Thursday.

Our work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License. Feel free to republish and share widely.

Our pandemic coverage is free to all. As is all of our reporting.

No paywalls. No advertising. No corporate sponsors. Since the coronavirus pandemic broke out, traffic to the Common Dreams website has gone through the roof— at times overwhelming and crashing our servers. Common Dreams is a news outlet for everyone and that’s why we have never made our readers pay for the news and never will. But if you can, please support our essential reporting today. Without Your Support We Won't Exist.

Further

Prepping for Saturday's protests in D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser went for the grand gesture - and a symbolic middle finger to the racist cowering in the White House - and had "Black Lives Matter" painted in yuge yellow letters on the city's main drag. Bowser's action, aimed at recognizing the thousands in the streets "craving to be heard and to be seen," was criticized by some activists as "performative distraction," but many celebrated it as a vital tribute: "We are saying it loud. We are here."

Common Dreams brings you the news that matters.

Sign up for Newsletter

Connect With Us

Support our common dreams.

Can We Count on Your Help Today?

Common Dreams is a small nonprofit with a big mission. Every day of the week, we publish the most important breaking news & views for the progressive community. To remain an independent news source, we do not advertise, sell subscriptions or accept corporate contributions. Instead, we rely on readers like you, to provide the "people power" that fuels our work. Please help keep Common Dreams alive by making a contribution. Thank you. - Craig Brown, Co-founder

Support Our Work -- Join the small group of generous readers who donate, keeping Common Dreams free for millions of people each year. Every donation—large or small—helps us bring you the news that matters.

Support Our Work -- Join the small group of generous readers who donate, keeping Common Dreams free for millions of people each year. Every donation—large or small—helps us bring you the news that matters.